Pump



c. H. Fox

PUMP

July 2,2, 1924.

Filed July '5o 1920 sheets-sheet WITN ESSES July 2z, 1924.

C. H. FOX

PUMP

und July so i920 6I lSheets-Sheet 4 CZ #M v A'rroRNEY July 2 2 1924. I 1,501,987.

. y l C. H. FOX

PUMP

Filed Julyl 30 H* Sco e sheets-sheet s i 15972'- JP/@f lll hul

INVENITQR.

l wrrN [asses BY v ffmcf ATTORNEY C. H. FOX

PUM

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 vFiled .July 3o', 1920` v i i 1 i wrrNEsEs ATTORNEY Patented July ZZ, 1924.

CHARLES H. FOX, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

PUMP.

Application filed July 30, 1920. Serial No. 400,106.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. Fox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bakersfield, in the county of Kern and State of California, have invented a new and useful Pump, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to pumps for either shallow or deep wells or capable of being operated in any location where water or other liquid is to be pumped for elevation, or for power or for other purposes,and its object is to provide a pump which will operate continuallyv and will elevate or propel the fluid being pumped with great force to and-above the surface of the ground, where the water may be stored, or used for irrigating and other purposes, or maybe utilized for the actuation of machinery, for which latter pur-- pose the stream of water being elevated may be caused todrive a Pelton wheel or the like. The pump may also be used as a sand pumping means for wells or in dredging and` for similar purposes.

The invention contemplates the use of the force generated by the firing of explosive charges in a -pipe or conduit so constructed and arranged that the water is raised or propelled, or both, by the gases of explosion with a force which need only be limited by the strength of the materials used in the structure.

rlhe pump structure comprises a pipe leading from a source of water supply, which may be a low point, in case of a` well, to the surface of the ground, where the water may be stored or distributed or util-.

ized for useful work, and rising from the bottom portion of the pipe is a shorter. iranch which may or may not reach to a` carry away the burnt gases of theexploded charges.

The pump which may be termed an internalcombustion puinp,1may beso formed as to `operate as a single acting' explosion pump or as a double act-ing explosion pump, the latter form being better suited for some purposes while for other purposes the single acting pump is to be preferred.

' The invention will bev best understood from va consideration of vthe following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, withthe understanding, however, thatthe" invention. is not conlined to any strict conformity with the showing `in the drawings, but maybe changed and modified .so long as such changes and modilications mark no kmaterial departure'from the salient features of the invention as expressed' in the appended f claims. I

In the drawings: y y

Fig. l is an elevation of a pumping. structure embodying the invention, with the pumping structure of the single acting type.

Fig. 24is `a vertical diametric section of the pumping structure of Fig. l at the eX- plosion chamber and valve zones, the drawings being on a larger scale than Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is aA section on .the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. t is a vertical diametric section through the lowerend of the. shorter arm showing the inlet valvey for water. i

Fig. 5is an inverted plan Vwof the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section ,on'theline 6 6 of Fig. 2.` I

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2. j,

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7 r

Figi/9 isa view siniilarfto Fig. 2 but showing the double acting form of` pump.

Fig. 10- is a section on the line lO-lO of Fig. 9. y y

Figjllis `a section on the line 1l- 11 of Fig. 9, with some parts omitted. y

Fig. 12`is a se'ction on the line -12-'l2 of Fig.- 9.

Fig. is is a View Similar "tfrigj i, but

sov

CII

in a plane( at right angles thereto and showing a Pelton wheel associated with the ump.

Fig. 15 is a section on the line 1515 of Fig. 13 but drawn on a larger scale.

Figs. 16 to 19 are diagrams showing the operation of a pump or the like embodying the invention.

Fig. 2O is a section similar to Fig. 9 but showing a slightly different form.

Fig. 21 .is a section on the vline 21 Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is an elevation of a form of invention differing from the preceding forms.

Fig. 23 is a section on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22, but showing some parts in elevation.

F 24 is a fragmentary section ofthe air and gas inlet.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, and associated views, where the invention is shown as in the form of a well, for convenience of illustration and description, but without limiting the invention thereto, there is indicated a well 1 provided with a casing 2, and such showing may be considered as typical of a deep well or of a relatively shallow well. Within the well there is assumed to be a body 3 of fluid which will hereinafter .be referred to as water7 without limitation thereto.

Lodged in the well 1 is a pipe t of any suitable size, constituting a pump pipe and extending from the surface of the well as deeply therein as may be desired. siii inch pipe has been successfully used.

At the lower end the pipe 4- carries an elbow 5 connected by a nipple 6 to a T 7, and from the body of the 'l' there rise-s another pipe 8 to a moderate height so as to project a short distance above the level of the body 3 of water in the well in the particular showing of the drawings, but it is to be understood that the pipe 8 may be wholly immersed in the water.

Carried by the top of the pipe 8 is a casting provided, as shown in Fig. 2, with a neck 10 threaded on to the pipe 3, but it is to be understood that such particular arrangement .is not mandatory.

The casting 9 is in the nature of a head and is provided with a seat 11 of appropriate size to receive a rotor 12 supported by ball bearings v13 or other appropriate anti-friction means. The rotor 12 is ecnfined in the head 9 by means of a cap or cover plate 14, secured in place by cap screws 15, permitting the ready removal of the plate 14 when it is desired to dismantle the head 9 for any reason.

The rotor 12 is fast to the lower end of an upright shaft 16 passing through an upright bearing 17 on the cap plate 14 and passing through and rendered water and Five or ate place where, by means of a bevel gear wheel 19 on the shaft 16, and a bevel pinion 20 on another shaft 21, or by any other suitable means, the shaft 16 may be rotated. A small explosion engine of, say one or two horse power, has been successfully used for the .purpose and for other purposes.

lLeading to the interior of the head 9 from a point which may be above the ground, is a pipe 22 designed to carry fuel, preferably acetylenegas, and a pipe22a for air, the gas and air mining ultimately in the explosion chamber in the proportions of one part of acetylene to about twelve parts of air, such mixture having beenfound to provide an excellent explosive mixture well adapted for the purposes of the invention. Extending through the rotor 12 from top to bottom is a circumferentially extended passage 23 immediately beneath the pipes 22 and 22, so that at a predetermined period and for a predetermined time in the rotary movement of the rotor the passage 23 is brought into alinement first with the pipe 22 and then with the pipe 22a for a sufficient length of time to permit the flow of the gas and air,both of which should be under pressure, to produce a charge in the upper end of the pipe 8. The arrangement is such that the gas pipe is opened, then the air pipe is opened admitting both gas and air through the passage 23; and then the gas is shut off and nally the air is shut off, the time of opening each, however, being the same. The charge is introduced into the space above the level of the water 3 in the pipe 3, such space constituting an explosion chamber 24, shown in Fig. 2, in conjunction with the single acting pump structure.

Leading through that part of the casting or head 9 below the rotor 12 and opening into the explosion chamber 24- are two spaced passages, 25, 26, the former having inclines 27 on opposite sides of each passage 25. Y

The rotor is provided with a socket or cavity 28 into the `bottom of which there is secured a plug 29 constituting a guide for a contract pin 30 movable snugly yet freely through the plug 29 and provided with a collar 31 .lined to it within the cavity 29. The collar 31 constitutes both a stop and an abutment for an extension spring 32 surrounding the pin 30 between the top of the cavity 28 and the collar 31 so that the pin is constantly urged toward a projected position with respect to the vcavity 23. The bott-om end 33 of the pin is rounded llU or otherwise appropriately shaped to travel on the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the head 9 in position to cause the rounded end 33 of the pinto engage and wipe across ai rounded terminal 34 of a spark plug 35, which, with the exception of the terminal, is similar to known forms of spark plugs to be foundvon the market.

The spark plug has a threaded body 36 and carries the usual insulating stem 37 supported by the body 36 and traversed by a conducting rod 38 terminating in the binding post 39 at one end and at the other end formed into the contact 34 across which the Contact pin 30 wipes. The bin-ding post 39 has an electric conductor 41 fast thereto, and carried to theAf surfacei of the ground in the installed apparatus, through a protecting tube 42 preventing the access of water to the conductor, which latter, however, may be of the usual in sulated form. The tube 42 is preferably filled with a suitable waterproof and insulating material 42a.

Leading through the cover or cap 14 is an exhaust manifold 43 made fast about an opening into the pipe 4, the exhaust manifold being located opposite the air inlet pipe 22a so as to receive exhaust gases through the port or passage 26 when the passage 23 inthe rotor is in position to approach the space between the portl 26 and the manifold 43.

Any suitable explosion mixture may be used but the use of acetylene gas and air is preferable. Both of these ingredients are furnished under pressure in the proportions of about one part of acetylene gas to twelve parts of air. The air is directed under pres sure through the pipe 22'LL to the rotor l2 so as to pass through the latter and enter the explosion chamber 24 while the gas is furnished through another pipe 22l to the chamber 24. The pipe 22 is arranged in advance of the pipe 22a, in the direction of rotaton of the rotor, so that the passage 23 on reachng the pipe 22permits gas to flow through the rotor into the chamber 24.` Immediately thereafter the passage 23 reaches the pipe 22a, whereupon air under pressure passes through lthe rotor into the explosion chamber 24. The air pressure in the pipe 22a is higher than the gas pres sure in the pipe 22. The gas, however, enters the explosion chamber first, thus preventing the air, because of its superior pressure, from entering the pipe 22 and thus forming an explosive mixture in the pipe 22. The air, because of the small resistance offered to its direct course through the rotor to the explosion chamber passes to the chamber 24 along with the gas from the pipe 22 and the mixture is therefore formed in the chamber 24 without any liability of the mixture occurring in the pipe 22. This is important since even small admixtures of acetylene gas with air are dangerous and highly explosive, and consequently dangerous backiring is eliminated.

After the entrance of the charge, the continued movement of the rotor closes the acetylene pipe 22 andI then closes the air pipe 22a, whereupon the pin 30 is brought` into contact with the` firing end of the spark plug 35. `When the pin 30 moves beyond the firing end 34 of the spark plug there is produced a wiping break which results in a broad hot spark or flame assuring a positive ignition of the explosive mixture. 'By the time the ignition takes place C the passage or port 23 is sufficiently separated from the passage 25 to prevent any back leakage of the gases of explosion past orthiough the rotor. 4 If it be considered that when the explosion takes place in the chamber 24`the level of the water or other liquid in the pipes 4 and 8 is the same and that the explosion considered is the initial explosion, the gases produced in the chamber 24 exert a powerful t and rapidly acting pressure upon the surface of the column of water in the pipe 8. The

explosion forces the column of water in the f pipe 8 downwardly, through the connection Hear the bottom of the pipe 8 and -into the P119e 4 lmpaltlg a rapid, rising movementv` to the column of water in the pipe 4 so that the momentum of the column of water in the pipe 4 and the water following it fromthe pipe 8 cause the whole mass of water to flow` m1 pumping other liquids than water and the viii invention may be utilized in connection with liquids heavier than water, or with mixtures of solids and liquids in such proportions that a semi-solid mixture, such, for instance, as y sand and water, may flow through the pipes.

For this reason the term liquid is used as covering substance like water or oil or mo bile fluids like sufficiently wet sand, or any other substance to which the invention may be adapted.

By having the pipe. 8 of suitable length l i the expansion of the gases' of combustion in the pipe soon reduces the initial pressure to a marked extent so that in the construction shown in Fig. l and associated figures the internaly pressure in the pipe'8 may be re'- duced close to atmospheric pressure. fBy' this time, with the parts properly proportioned, the port or passage 23 is brought into coincidence with the manifold 43 so that t:

' there is an outlet from the explosion chamber 24 through the passage 26 and passage 23 to the manifold and thence to the pipe 4. In the meantime the momentum imparted to the water in the pipe 4 by the force of the explosion causes such water to rise in the pipe 4 to a relatively great height, the column of water rising above the manifold 43, and the gases of explosion find their way through the manifold allowing a new charge of water to rise into the pipe 3 through its lower end and also into the pipe 4 through its lower end, following the rising column of water in the pipe 4. The inflow of water at the lower end of the pipes 3 and 4 is permitted by the check valve 44 carried by a cage 45 at the lower end of the "l' 7. rlhe cheek valve 44 is of the gravity type and will seat whenever there is insufficient suction to hold it off its seat. By the time the pipe 6 becomes filled the valve 12 has rotated sufficiently to close the passage 26 and so cut 0E the explosion chamber from the manifold 43.

The momentum imparted by the original exploded charge is still active to raise the column of water in the pipe 4 and consequently pulls down the column of water in the pipe 8 lowering the upper surface thereof and producing vacuum conditions, to some extent, in the explosion chamber 24. rIhe continued rotation of the rotor 12 ultimately brings the passage 23 into coincidence with the pipe 22 and then with the pipe 22a, whereupon the initial pressures under which the gas and air are maintained, assisted by the vacuum conditions in the eX- plosion chamber cause a quick intake of gas followed by air thereby preparing the structure for a second explosion causing a repetition of the procedure already explained.

rIhe structure is susceptible of very rapid operation, so that the explosions may follow each other with great rapidity, up to thousands per minute, as has been demonstrated by tests.

To aid in an understanding of the structure shown in detail in Fig. 1 andv associated figures, reference is had to Figs. 16, 17, 18 and 19, vwhich are in the nature of diagrams. In Fig. 16 the pipes 4 and 3 have water, or other liquid, therein to a certain level to which the liquid may be considered as hav-- ing spontaneously risen, and the valve 44 is closed. In Fig. 17 the rotor is assumed to have rotated suiiiciently to close the top of the pipe 8 and it is further assumed that an explosion has taken place in the explosion chamber in the top of the pipe 8, forcing the column of water previously in the pipe downwardly and through the connection with the pipe 4, and imparting to the water in the pipe 4 a rapid rising movement. In Fig. 16 Ait is assumed that the rotor 12 further rotated sufficientlyto move the passage Leonesa 23 into coincidence with the manifold 43 whereupon t-he gases of explosion are forced by the incoming water through the manifold 43 into the pipe 4 above the manifold, while the column of water in the pipe 4 still moving under the initial impulse, is rising into the pipe 4, creating vacuum conditions which cause an opening of the valve 44 with the pipe 8 rapidly filling and water passing into the pipe 4 through the valve 44 and following up the rising column of water in the pipe 4. In the meantime the valve 12 has continued to rotate, this resulting in the closing of the valve 44 (see Fig. 19) and t-he passage 23 is brought into coincidence with the pipes 22 and 22a in the manner already described, the manifold 43 being closed by the rotor 12. The upward trend rof the column of water in the pipe 4 still continues so that the lifting force of this rising column produces a lowering of the column of water in the pipe 8, thereby setting up limited vacuum conditions facilitating the entrance of the charge of gas and air into the explosion chamber, the vacuum conditions augmenting the initial pressure upon the gas and air tocause them to flow quickly into the explosion chamber. Following this the new charge is ignited and the cycle of operations is repeated, to be followed with great rapidity by similar cycles.

It is understood that provision is made for a supply of air and fuel to produce the explosive mixture and for the generation of suitable current to cause the proper operation of the pump with the ejection of water through the pipe 4 under such force as may be determined by the character of t-he explosive mixture and permitted by the strength of the material used in the pump.

There are conditions under which a single vacting pump, such as described with reference to Fig. 1 and associated ligures, is to be preferred, but a double acting pump is susceptible of more efficient operation, for it may be caused to supply a greater quantity of water or other liquid or the like than would be supplied by two single acting pumps. Such a double acting structure. is shown in Figs. 9 to 15. In place of a single short leg 3, two legs 8, in close association, are provided and each leg at its lower end has an inlet valve 44a, which may be similar to the valve 44 of Fig. 4. There are also provided two legs 4a rising' from the lower portions of the legs 8a to a sufliciently high point where they are brought together by Y connection 46, from which a pipe 4b, corresponding to the pipe 4 of Fig. l and associated figures, rises to the surface of the ground, or to some other point. The pipe 4a is shown in Fig. 14 as terminating Vin a nozzle 47 entering a casing 48 in which there is mounted a Felton wheel 49, which latter, however, may be taken Las indicating any other suitable form of power driven wheel. The wheel 49 is indicated as mountv ed on a shaft 50 carrying a pulley 51 engaged by a belt 52 leading to some distant point of utilization.

Instead of the Felton wheel, t-lie pipe 41 may discharge into a reservoir for storage or into a distributing system for irrigation or the like. The casing 48 may have a funnel 53 by means of which the water utilized to drive the Pelton wheel may be collected and directed either into a reservoir or to some point of utilization.

The double acting pump operates, in the main, the saine as the single acting pump, except that certain changes are incorporated. A rotor 12n is employed and, like the rotor 12, has a curved or arc-shaped port or passage 23@L through it. The double acting pump is provided with a head 9a, like the head 9 of the single acting pump, ex-

cept that it has two associated necks 10a for receiving pipes 8a. Each neck has two ports 25, 26 therethrough. Each port or passage 25 is provided with a spark plug 35, and each spark plug has a conductor 41 connected thereto and extended to the sui-- face of the ground, or to other suitable point, through a protecting pipe or casing 42. The rotor 12a is provided with one exhaust port 25a through it to register with one or the other of the manifolds 43a. The head 921 is provided with a cap plate 14a connected to two exhaust manifolds 43a discharging into respective pipes in the same manner as in the single acting structure shown in Fig. 1. @ther parts of the double acting structure are similarto the single acting structure and are identified by like reference numerals, so that repetition of the description where the parts are alike 'is unnecessary.

ln the double acting form the` single valve-driving shaft 16 is employed and is driven in the saine manner as has been described in connection with the single acting form. In the double acting forni the gas, such as acetylene gas, is conducted by way of a pipe 54, branched to reach the respective explosion chambers, ,n and air is conducted by way of a pipe 55, branched as indicated at 56, and from thence leading individually to the ports 25, in which the gas from the pipe 54 unites with the air. In the double acting structure but one passage 23iL is provided, but this passage is brought into register with the respective gas and air pipes on diametrically opposite sides of the axis of the rotor during each i rotation ofthe latter, thus feeding materials, making up the explosive mixtures, successively to the explosion chambers at the upper ends of the pipes 8a.

yIn the showing of Figs. 22 and 23 there is illustrated a structure working on the double acting principle, which renders the double acting form more efficient than the single acting form. This is brought'about by terminating the pipe 4b at a point cousiderably below the low level of the water in which the structure is immersed, such immersion being necessary in the double acting pump shown in Figs. 22 and 23. The pipe 4b enters at its upper end into the 'lower end of a larger pipe 4C so as to leave room about the end 4b to not only accommodate the water ejected by the pipe 4b Abut to permit the intake of water from the space immediately surrounding the pipe 4b into the pipe 4C. The structure shown in Figs. 22 and 23 works on the injector principle in that a forceful stream issuing from the pipe 41 into the lower end of the pipe 4C tends to draw the surrounding water into the pipe 4c and propel it, together with the stream issuing `from the pipe 4b, into and along the pipe 4c until the point of utilization is reached. In this manner a considerable amount of power present in the stream issuing from the' pipe 4b is utilized in elevating water or other liquid, which lcould not be accommodated by the pipe 4b but which can be accommodated by the larger pipe 4C. To support the pipe`4c about the pipe 4b with the latter centralized, the two pipes are secured together bystraps 57 as shown in Fig. 22. 'In the double acting structure of Figs. 9 to 15 the pipe 4b is of larger diameter than either of the pipes 4a, vso that when one side is fired and the water is flowing under the force of the explosion there is suction exerted on the other side of the double acting pump through the other pipe 4a and the valve 44a of the same pipe, to draw water intol the said pipe, and into the pipe 4EL belonging thereto and ultimately into the larger pipe 4b. This produces a quicker intake for the unloaded side to fill it ready for the next shot, than occurs in a single acting pump and consequently the double acting pump is susceptible of more rapid action and greater output.

A similar result occurs with respect to ,the form shown in Figs. 22 and 23 with the additional advantage that the output of the pipe 4c is greater than occurs with the pipe 4b of Figs. 9 to 15, because part of the water entering the pipe 4c is taken by suction directly from the well instead of passing only through the pump pipes.

The structure of Figs. 22 and 23 also differs from the other forms shown in the drawings in that the pipe or pipes 8 or 8 are materially longer than the pipes 8b so that the tiring chambers are of approximately the same length as the pipes 8", wherefore when an explosion occurs the. gases of combustion are projected into an up pipe 4a of the structure shown in y CEB 9 to 141-. The structure of Figs. 22 and 23 also has the advantage of compactness with more powerful thrusts of the gases of explosion on the up column of water and less resistance from friction.

ln Figs. 20 and 2l there is shown a form of rotor similar to that of Fig. 9 but with some differences, particularly with relation to the association of the sparking terminal. instead of the contact pin 3()V there is provided contact pin 30a so set that when it registers with one or the other. of the spark plugs 35 it is in alinement therewith. Since the structure of Figs. 2O and 2l is, with the exception ofthe location of the sparking contacts, the same as shown inFig. 9, no further description of this particular structure isdeemed necessary, the operation being the same in both constructions.

To get the most efficient operation with respect to the intake of the gas and air the outlet ends of the gas pipe 54 and the air pipe 56 should be placed closely adjacent and the duct from the gas pipe to itsvpoint of'exit should approach as closely as feasible tothe air pipe so that the gas may be caused to enter the explosion chamber before air enters it and to be cut off first. Such short approaching duct for the gas is indicated at 54a in Fig. 241.

The invention is advantageous in that the apparatus cannot be stalled by a heavy load even though the apparatus is, in action, similar to an ordinary two-cycle explosion engine, for the driving impulses follow each other rapidly and their effects are practically continuous, so that increases inthe load may be met by increasing the charges and `consequently the power impulses accordingly. No dead centers have to be overcome and'no inertia devices have to be utilized. Furthermore no valves, pistons or thelike occur between the exploding gases and the water on which the gases act..

ln the specific examples shown in the drawings, and especially when the invention is used in connection with wells or the like, the pipes are arranged upright because of the lift of the water and the narrow limits in which the pipes must be located.

Under JfavorableI circumstances the pipes may be horizontal or tilted without affecting the operation. v

VVhat is claimed is:

1. The method of propelling liquids from a supply thereof to a point of utilization, which'l consists in igniting an explosive mixture in contact with a guided body of liquid to thereby propel the liquid in a determined direction to a point of discharge, and causing the momentum of, the propelled liquid to'r create vacuum conditions so as to draw in a new supply of liquid and at the same time utilizing the incoming liquid, as well as the momentum of the Vpropelled liquid, to extract the spent gases of explosion and carry them along with the discharging liquid.

2. A method of propelling liquids from a supply thereof to a point of utilization, which. consists in igniting an explosive mixture in contact with a body of liquid Vto thereby propel theliquid in a determined direction, causing the momentum of the propelled liquid to extract the spent gases of explosion and carry them along with the discharging liquid and at the same time draw in a new supply. of liquid, and cause the inflow of a fresh explosive charge, whereby a repetition of the operation may be performed.

3. A method of propelling liquids from a source of supply to a point of discharge, which consists in igniting an explosive mixture and causing its explosion in contact with a body of liquidcontained within a pipe to thereby propel the liquid through the pipe to the point of discharge, and causing the momentum of the propelled liquid through the pipe to extract the spent gases of explosion and deliver them intov the pipe and at the same time draw in a new supply of liquid, the spent gases being expelled by the momentum of the propelled liquid in connection with the pressure of the incomA ing liquid.

4l. Means for producing power, and for other purposes, comprising an explosion chamber, a continuously operated rmechanically propelled Valve controlling the entrance end of the explosion chamber and including means for first introducing fuel and then following it by air into the explosion chamber for mixture, and a conduit fork a liquid connected to the explosion chamber and leading from the explosion chamber to a point of disposal.

5. Means for producing power and for other purposes, comprising Ian explosion chamber, a .continuously operated mechanically propelled rotary valve controlling the entrance end of the explosion chamber, and including means for first introducing fuel and then following it by air into the explosion chamber to form a mixture, a conduit for liquid connected to the explosion chamber and leading from the explosion chamber topa point of discharge, and an exhaust connection leading from the explosion chamber to the said conduit at a point in the column of the propelled liquid.

6. Means for producing power, and for other purposes, comprising' an explosion chamber, a .rotary Valve at one end of the explosion chamber includingV means for first introducing fuel into the explosion chamber and following it by air, for mixture, a conduit for liquid continued from the explosion chamber at the end of the latter remote from the fuel and air introducing. means,

Lil)

and another conduit forming a continuation of the first conduit said conduits including a one way valve common thereto for the entrance of liquid into both conduits, and an exhaust manifold connecting the explo; sion chamber to the second named conduit.

7. Means for producing power comprising an explosion chamber, independent ducts for separately delivering fuel and air tc the chamber in succession, a single rotary valve with means for driving it, said valve controlling the separate entrance of fuel and air into the explosion chamber for mixture, and an outlet for the explosion chamber having means for the inflow of liquid thereinto.

8. Means for producing power, comprising an explosion chamber, independent inlet ducts for fuel and air, means for discharging the spent gases of explosion from said chamber, a singlev rotary valve having means for driving it for controlling the separate entrance of fuel and air into the explosion chamber for mixture, and also for controlling the discharge of the spent gases, and an outlet duct for the explosion chamber having means for the inflow of liquid thereinto.

9. In a pump, an up-pipey and a downpipe with the lower end of the down-pipe joining the lower end of the up-pipe and there provided with an inlet valve for the fluid to be pumped, and means for introducing and igniting explosive mixtures at the upper end of the down-pipe, the two pipes having means of communication to direct spent gases from `the explosion chamber into the up-pipe at a higher point 'than the explosion chamber.

lO. Apparatus for raising liquids, comprising a pipe immersed at the lower end in the liquid and rising to the height to which the liquid isto be raised, a shorter pipe rising from the bottom portion of the long .pipe to a less height than the longer pipe, said shorter pipe having an explosion chamber at its upper end and at its lower end communicating with the longer pipe and there provided with an upwardly opening inlet valve common to both pipes and in line with the shorter pipe, and means for frdirecting explosive charges to the explosion chamber and mixing and firing them therein.

11. A deep well pump provided with a pipe having its lower end in the liquid to be pumped and its upper end rising to the height to which the liquid is to be elevated, a shorter pipe connecting at the lower end to the lower end of the longer pipe and extending below it, with the shorter pipe provided at the lower end with an inlet valve opening upwardly for the inflow of the liquid to both pipes, and said shorter pipe having an explosion chamber'at the upper end, and means for providing rexplosive charges in the explosion chamber andy for firing them in timed relation to the introduction of the explosive charges, ythe means for supplying the explosive charges and for firing them in timed relation having means for controlling them from the surface of the ground.

12. A pump for elevating fluid from a well or other supply, comprising a pipe leading from a low point in the supply of fluid to a high point of delivery, another, shorter, pipe i communicating with the first named. pipe near the lower ends of both, said second named pipe rising` to substantially the normal level of fluid in the well, an explosion chamber in the upper end of the shorter pipe, means associated with the explosion chamber for causing the introduction of explosive charges and the firing thereof in timed relation, means at the lower end of the shorter pipe for the introduction of the fluid to bepumped, and a manifold connecting the explosion chamber with a higher. point in`the outlet or longer pipe of the pump. Y f

13. In a pump, upstanding pipes joined and communicating at their lower ends, means at'the joined ends of the pipes for admitting the fluid to be pumped, means for producing explosive charges in the upper portion of one of the pipes, means for igniting the charges in said pipe in direct contact with the fluid to be pumped to thereby expel the fluid from the pipes in succession, and a connection between the upper portion of the pipe in which the fluid isv ignited and a corresponding portion of the other pipe to cause the escape of any unexploded portions of the charges into the second named pipe and their ultimate escape therefrom.

14. In a pump, groups of upstanding pipes joined and communicating at their lower ends, with one pipe of each group shorter than the companion pipe and containing an explosion chamber in its upper end, each of the shorter pipes having an outlet and an inlet port, a sparking device in each inlet port, and a rotary valve common to the shorter pipes and explosion chambers and provided with. a sparking terminal in y the path of which the sparking devices are located, and means for providing explosive mixtures in the explosion chambers, the sparking devices and rotary valve being timed to fire the mixtures, forming the explosive charges, in alternation.

15. A double acting explosion pump provided with pairs of associated pipes, with the pipes of each pair joined and communieating at the lower ends and each pair there provided with a one-way intake valve, one pipe of each pair being shorter than the other pipe, with the shorter pipes each terminating at the upper end in an explosion chamber, a krotary Valve common to the upper ends of the shorter pipes and constituting closures ior the explosion cham bers, an intake for charges leadingthrough the valve and vregistering with each explosion chamber in order, and sparking means for ignitingthe charges in the explosion chambers as the Valve rotates, said sparking` means including spark plugs individual to the explosionchambers, and a sparking terminal common to the spark plugs and carried fby the Valve.

16. The combination with upstanding pipes joined at their lower ends and immersed in the fluid to be propelled and provided with an inlet valve, of a head at the upper end of one of the pipes and constituting a valve seat, a rotary valve enclosed within the head, means for rotating the Valve, means leading` to the head for the admission ot air, anothe1 means leading to the head for the admission of fuel exhaust means leading from the head, said valve controlling the admission ot air and tuel to the head as well as the exhaust trom the head and ignition means carried :by the head.

17. The combination with upstanding pipes joined at their lower ends and `there immersed in the Vfluid to be propelled and provided with an inlet Valve, of a head `at the upper end oit yone of the pipes., rotary valve within the head, means 'for rotating the Valve, a pipe leading to the head for delivering air thereto, another pipe leading to the head for supplying fuel, ali-exhaust pipe leading` Yfrom the head, said, Valve controlling the` admission of air and tuel to the head, as well as the exhaust from the head, a spark plug wholly enclosed in the head, and a wiping Contact carried by the Valve and coactively related to the `spark plug.

18. The combination with upstanding pipes joined at their lower ends and there immersed in the fluid to be propelled and provided with an inlet valve, of means for causing explosions to occur at the upper end of one of the pipes to eject V[inids 'from both the pipes in succession toward the point of discharge, said means comprising a head mounted at the upper end of one oit the pipes, a rotary valve Within the head, means for supplying a combustible mixture to the head, a spark plug carried. by the head, a wiping contact carried by the Valve and related to the head, and means 'for rotating the Valve. n

19.V The combination with upstanding pipes joined at their lower ends and immersed in the fluid to be propelled and provided with an inlet valve, of a head carried at the upper end of one of the pipes, a rotary Valve contained Within the head, means for supplying a combustible mixture to the head, and ignition means carried in part by the Valve and in part by the head tor causing lexplosions to occur at. the upper end of one ot the pipes so as to eject tiui-d Yfrom both the pipes in succession toward the point oi discharge.

20. The combination with upstanding` pipes joined at the lower ends and there immersed in fluid to be propelled, an inlet for the pipes, one of said pipes being shorter than the other, of a head applied to the upper end of the shorter pipe, a rotary valve rotating within the hea-d, means for supplying the head with a combustible mixture, means tor rotating the Valve, and ignition means for causing explosions operated by the movement of said Valve.

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto aiiixed my signature.

CHARLES H. FOX. 

